Hot Topics:

Patrick Littlefield: Everyone benefits from the VA but few of us understand it

By Patrick Littlefield Special to The Sun

Updated:
04/27/2018 07:39:59 AM EDT

The VA is the least understood federal department -- even by President Trump.

Despite the VA's strong record of success, it often serves as a political football and target of opportunity for politicians and the press seeking headlines.

As a consequence, the public seldom sees or appreciates the good work that VA does every day. For example, in 2016, VA delivered almost 58 million medical appointments to nine million enrolled veterans. Of the 58 million appointments, 33 million were delivered by VA staff and 25 million were delivered by community-based providers. The sheer volume of care provided by VA is staggering.

In addition to providing care and benefits to veterans, VA plays a critical role in training the nation's physicians, conducting research from which we all benefit, and operating as a key component of the nation's emergency response infrastructure.

Did you know that your doctor likely trained at the VA? About 70 percent of U.S. physicians trained at the VA at some point in their careers.

Did you know that VA's research has resulted in three Nobel prizes, seven Lasker awards, and numerous other national and international honors? If you are getting care today, it's likely that some of that care originated at VA.

Advertisement

Did you know that the VA deployed five mobile vet centers, three mobile medical units, two mobile pharmacies and one mobile canteen to Houston and surrounding areas to offer medical care, pharmacy assistance, counseling services and benefits referral to veterans and the communities affected by Hurricane Harvey?

These are but a few of the contributions to the nation that come from VA.

Despite these accomplishments, the Trump administration is pushing for more "choice" for veterans. This language is code for privatization and the gradual unmaking of VA.

Both veterans and the nation would be worse off without the VA. Just ask the veterans who get their care there. Following the firing of Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin, groups like AMVETS, VFW, Disabled American Veterans, Vietnam Veterans of America, and the American Legion all voiced concerns about privatization efforts at VA. They know that privatization will hurt, not help. That is true for veterans and true for the nation.

While there is room for improvement at the VA, let's fix it, not ditch it.

Patrick Littlefield served as executive director for the Veterans Affairs Center for Innovation from 2013 to 2017. He is now a candidate for Congress in the Massachusetts 3rd District.

Welcome to your discussion forum: Sign in with a Disqus account or your social networking account for your comment to be posted immediately, provided it meets the guidelines. (READ HOW.)
Comments made here are the sole responsibility of the person posting them; these comments do not reflect the opinion of The Sun. So keep it civil.